By Kamil Kaluski
There was a time when a 3/4-ton truck was a tool and nothing else, but the 2026 Ford F-250 Platinum proves those days are dead. It is a tow rig that offers an interior that rivals the best luxury SUVs on the market. It is a truck that is designed for the buyer who refuses to compromise on capability or comfort. It’s a massive, expensive office on wheels that manages to make 6,000 pounds of steel feel downright sophisticated.
Video Review
Powertrain
This particular truck, a Star White Metallic F-250 with a $7000 Platinum Plus Package, was equipped with a 6.7L High Output Power Stroke Diesel. The $13,495 optional engine turns this 3/4-ton pickup into a legitimate drag strip contender with 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is smooth and effortless, especially at highway speeds, and it pulls with a level of authority that’s hard to fully appreciate until you experience it.
In the video I mentioned the base gasoline Godzilla engine as a 7.4L in the video. That was wrong, it is actually a 7.3L naturally aspirated V8 producing 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. Much less power on paper but Godzilla is no joke. A lower output diesel, a differently tuned 6.7L, is available for $2000 less than the high-output diesel. That engine makes ONLY 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
All three engines are paired with a version of TorqShift ten-speed automatic transmission. 4×4 models, such as this one, have a part-time four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfercase. A locking rear differential is optional or comes with one of the off-road packages. The optional Tremor package, not fitted to this vehicle, has a limited-slip front differential, among other goodies. This truck had the optional FX4 Off-Road Package which included all-terrain tires that made snow driving easy, even in 2WD.
Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 8,500 lbs, which includes this F-250, are classified by the EPA as heavy-duty vehicles. As such, manufacturers are not required to provide the standard fuel economy estimates. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was shocked to see over 19 MPG on the onboard computer in highway cruising. With a 34-gallon fuel tank, this results in a theoretical range of over 640 miles. Models with an eight-foot bed have a 48-gallon tank, yielding over 900 miles of driving range.
Note: The high idle I experienced during filming is the Elevated Idle Control. This is a standard diesel engine function that helps the block reach operating temperature in cold weather.
Interior:
On the inside, the premium upholstery is officially called Venetian Leather and is a specific feature of the Platinum Plus (703A) equipment group. These heated, ventilated, and massaging front thrones are very comfortable. The rear seats are heated and once raised, there is a flat rear floor, or a nifty foldable bin can be raised for under-seat storage. There is a huge panoramic sunroof and lots of thoughtful storage throughout. The Max Recline day-bed seats allow for power naps on long busy days.
The dash layout favors usability, with physical controls for audio and HVAC functions alongside a well-integrated split-screen infotainment system. This is a much better setup than the F-150 Lightning’s big vertical screen with hardly any physical buttons. In the center console there is a wireless charger, a bin that can transform into a cupholder big enough to hold the largest Dunks iced coffee cup (not the bucket though), two more cup holders, center bin, and phone holders.
Payload and Towing:
The maximum gooseneck towing capacity for the F-250 is 21,500 pounds, and conventional bumper towing is rated up to 22,000 pounds. As for the legalities, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is generally required only if the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of the truck and trailer exceeds 26,001 pounds.
There are several systems to make trailering easier. The first is Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, which solves the back-and-forth headache of lining up the truck hitch with the trailer. It uses the rear camera and radar to identify the coupler, then controls the steering to put the hitch ball directly under the trailer coupler. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist is for the actual reversing once you’re hitched. Instead of the “steer opposite” mental gymnastics, you just turn the dash knob in the direction you want the trailer to go, and the truck handles the wheel work.
Finally, the Trailer Sway Control is part of the vehicle stability control system. This system actively monitors the motion of the truck to detect if a trailer is beginning to oscillate. If the system senses instability, it can apply individual braking to specific wheels and reduce engine power to help the driver bring the trailer back under control. This helps mitigate the effects of crosswinds or sudden maneuvers that can unsettle a trailer.
The large side mirrors, PowerScope mirrors, as Ford calls them, allow for power telescoping and folding from the cabin, though the lower convex glass remains a manual adjustment. The Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System (standard on the Platinum) is pre-wiring for a customer-supplied trailer camera. Once mounted and plugged in, the video from camera displays directly on the center screen.
The payload for this 2026 F-250 with the 6.7L High Output diesel is 3,918 pounds (but check the door jamb, as the Platinum’s luxury gear may drop this). The payload is higher on the Godzilla-powered trucks because the engine itself is lighter. The bed is equipped with factory gooseneck prep, integrated power outlets, lighting, and multiple tie-down points. There are also folding steps all around the bed for easier access. Finally, the bed power outlet is part of the 2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard system, providing plenty of juice for tools or accessories while on the job site or camping.
Driving:
One of the more interesting aspects of the Super Duty lineup is just how usable these trucks have become day to day. Not long ago, driving an empty three quarter ton truck resulted in a chiropractor visit. But this truck flips that script completely. Even with nothing but a snow shovel in the bed, it felt composed, comfortable, and genuinely refined, to the point where a cross-country drive sounds less like a chore and more like a solid plan.
Despite its size, visibility is excellent, and with some practice it is easier to maneuver in tight urban environments than you might expect. That said, this is still a large truck and it demands space – parallel parking was not fun.
Conclusion:
If you’re regularly towing heavy loads, especially gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers, stepping up to an F-450 may be worth considering for its wider front axle and improved maneuverability. But for most applications, the F-250 strikes an impressive balance between capability, comfort, and everyday usability. Step up to the Platinum model and you might find yourself questioning why luxury SUVs even exist. If you need this level of capability, it is very hard to make a case for anything else.
Photos: Kamil Kaluski, Craig Fitzgerald, Ford
Specs:
- Engine: 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel
- Power: 500 hp
- Torque: 1,200 lb-ft
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Part-time 4WD, 2-speed transfer case
- Fuel Tank: 34 gallons with 6.5-foot bed, 48 gallons with 8-foot bed
- Length: 250.0 inches (6.75’ bed) / 266.2 inches (8’ bed)
- Width: 80.0 inches (excluding mirrors) Height: 81.5 inches (4×4 model)
- Wheelbase: 159.8 inches (6.75’ bed) / 176.0 inches (8’ bed)
- Ground Clearance: 8.5″-10.6 inches Interior Dimensions (Crew Cab)
- Headroom (Front/Rear): 40.8 inches / 40.4 inches
- Legroom (Front/Rear): 43.9 inches / 43.6 inches
- Shoulder Room (Front/Rear): 66.7 inches / 65.9 inches
- Hip Room (Front/Rear): 62.5 inches / 61.7 inches
Jeff Glucker